Xu Zhuohua watched as Cheng Muyun grew thinner and more haggard each day.
The anger in my heart has been worn down to almost nothing.
Xu Zhuohua still felt sorry for Cheng Muyun and didn't want to see him bear everything alone.
With the Lunar New Year approaching, more and more people are visiting the Cheng Mansion. A doctor offered to examine Xu Zhuohua, but Cheng Muyun refused.
Seeing that the truth could no longer be concealed, Xu Zhuohua was finally brought back to light on the day Xu Jixin returned from Dongzhou.
The reason was simple: Xu Jixin and Xu Jixiao had both returned, and they wanted to have a family reunion dinner.
Cheng Muyun led Xu Zhuohua by the hand and they entered the Xu residence without saying a word.
The butler greeted them warmly, "Miss, Master, you've arrived."
Xu Zhuohua always focused on the issue, not the person, and would never let her bad mood be taken out on unrelated people. She forced a smile and asked, "Hmm, where is Second Brother?"
The butler pointed to the east door, "The second young master brought back a lot of strange things. Everyone is gathered in the east wing. Miss and son-in-law, why don't you go find something fun to do?"
Xu Zhuohua's smile deepened. The Xu family still felt more alive and vibrant this time, like a real home.
As the two entered the courtyard, gasps of surprise came from the side room.
Having been away from the Xu family for so long, Xu Zhuohua could no longer distinguish the voices of the concubines, but she could clearly hear the voice of the seventh concubine, "Oh my, is this a foreigner's thing? I like it so much."
Xu Jixin's hearty laughter rang out, "Since you like it, then I'll give it to Seventh Concubine."
A cheer erupted in the room as everyone scrambled to grab the items.
The two stood in the courtyard, neither of them taking that step.
In this vast expanse of sky and earth, the sky above is clear and azure, spotless, yet so clean that there is nowhere to hide.
Cheng Muyun asked, "Shall we go in?"
Xu Zhuohua shook her head. "Wouldn't it be a spoilsport if the two of us went in?"
The tense atmosphere emanating from the two of them could easily shatter the cheerful mood inside the room.
"Aren't you afraid I'll complain to the Xu family and say you imprisoned me? I still have the marks from the shackles on my feet."
In order to avoid leaving any wounds on Xu Zhuohua, Cheng Muyun changed the position of the shackles almost every day, but Xu Zhuohua always struggled, and the wound on her ankle became deeper and deeper.
It was covered in bluish-purple bruises, which was quite frightening.
Cheng Muyun would often hold his bruised ankles and kiss them gently, repenting for what he had done.
Cheng Muyun said, "I'm afraid, but I'm even more afraid that you'll keep it all inside."
Xu Zhuohua released Cheng Muyun's hand and stepped into the house.
As she lifted the thick curtain, the heat from inside hit her face, and Xu Zhuohua's eyes instantly welled up with tears.
"I heard it from the front gate, it's really lively here!"
Xu Zhuohua raised her voice, trying to hide the grievance in her eyes.
Inside the room, apart from Xu Shinong and the First Madam, almost everyone was present.
Several concubines: Xu Jixiao, Xu Jixin, Xu Jiyi, and Xu Minghua.
The table was covered with many beautifully packaged items, and the seventh concubine was holding a pretty curly wig in her arms.
When Xu Jixin saw Xu Zhuohua, he hurried over and said, "Oh, you've finally come! I heard you were sick. Are you feeling better?"
Xu Zhuohua said, "The winds of Dongzhou have been blowing for a long time, so it's already fine."
Xu Jixin patted Xu Zhuohua on the shoulder, "You didn't even send me a telegram to let me know you were all better, making me worry."
Cheng Muyun lifted the curtain and walked in. He was tall, and the curtain was lifted high, bringing in a gust of cold wind.
"I was just too busy to remember."
Xu Jixin's expression changed, and he said to Cheng Muyun, "I'm sorry, I missed the old man's funeral."
The outside world was unaware of the true cause of Cheng Wenjun and Old Master Cheng's deaths, and even thought that the Cheng family had been cursed by some evil spirit, which caused the once prosperous family to suddenly become deserted.
Cheng Muyun raised his hand and patted Xu Jixin on the shoulder, "It's alright, he died of old age, a happy death."
Xu Jixiao called out to everyone, "Alright, it's the New Year, Zhuohua, come and pick out some things, they're all rare items."
Xu Zhuohua walked over with a smile, and Xu Minghua immediately grabbed her hand and made her stand beside him.
Xu Zhuohua looked over, puzzled, while Xu Minghua's eyes held a look of pity.
Since Xu Zhuohua married into the Cheng family, two people in the Cheng family have died one after another, and Madam Cheng has been bedridden for a long time, and rumors have been circulating outside.
This era has always lacked understanding of women, so all the rumors are directed at Xu Zhuohua.
They said Xu Zhuohua was an unruly and ill-mannered woman, and marrying her would surely bring disaster; now the retribution has come.
Xu Minghua had heard about it and felt indignant on behalf of Xu Zhuohua.
Xu Zhuohua had never heard of him and did not know why Xu Minghua suddenly showed kindness and pity.
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